port discomfort

[mariapiedra]

Hi I'm new to the group, I'm so glad I found this site it's been extremely informative and inspirasional.

I just got a chest port this past Tuesday and I'm still sore and I've had a strange sensation when I take a deep breath. Anyone have any breathing problems after their port was put in? How long does it take for the soreness at the site to go away?
Thanks,
Maria

[Gerri]

Hi Maria,

Welcome to our site. This is a great place to get advice and information.

My port actually caused me more discomfort than my lumpectomy. I felt a pulling feeling when taking a breath. Is that what you are experiencing? My port site was very sensitive and sore for several weeks. One time I bumped it and thought I was going to go through the ceiling! The first time or two that it was accessed for chemo was very uncomfortable. Eventually it got better and turned out to be such a blessing. I took Advil and it helped with the pain.

Good luck with chemo. Be sure to come here if you have any questions, or just want to vent. We are all here to support you and help you through.

Take care,

[Sherryg683]

My port hurt worse than my lumpectomy. I don't know what they did when they were operating but my neck killed me for about 2 weeks, the port site itself was very sore for at least that long...sherryg683

[Mary Anne in TX]

Hi Maria and welcome!
Yep...it takes a while for the port site to calm down and stop hurting and having that pulling feeling. But it does. And it will become such a good friend! Take care of yourself and ask lots of questions of your onc and nurses to give yourself peace of mind. This is the time to really pamper yourself with good care from your med team and let your Her2 sisters help relieve some fears. Best wishes, ma

[Sheila]

Maria
I got my port last November, and yes it takes a while before the pulling and sensitivity goes away, but it is one of the best things I ever did...it makes chemo so much easier. Welcome and come back with any questions, we are here as a team to help each other!

[Henny]

Maria,
My port was sore for a long while. I would keep my hand on it and folks at work thought I was doing the pledge of allegiance all the time. It did get less sore. I had it taken out last week since I had finished the year of Herceptin. I was sooo glad I had it when the nurse started to look for a vein before surgery and found lots of good IV sites. Even tho the port was a pain for 1 1/2 years, I know with each blood draw in the future I'll be glad I didn't have to have chemo straight in the veins.
And I was able to exercise and swim with no discomfort from the port.
You will do great and soon this will be behind you
Henny

[mariapiedra]

Many thanks to all of you! I feel less anxious now knowing that others have had a similar experience with their port. I also feel like the port has been more painful than the lupectomy. I didn't know how to explain the breathing sensation I was feeling but when several of you mentioned "pulling" I immeadiately identified. The "pulling" has lessened and although the port side and my neck are still sore I now Know that too will subside.

Thanks again!!

I start chemo next week, I'm sure I'll have more questions after my first treatment. Having found a place to come 24/7 for support will get me through this.

Blessings to you all!
Maria

[rebecca0623]

Maria - thanks for this posting - I will be having port in next month or so and it is always helpful hearing about others' experiences so I don't get surprised. Welcome!

[Colleens_Husband]

Maria:

Colleen had some discomfort with her port especially when she turns her head quickly.

Colleen had another chemo last Thursday and the oncology nurse said she just had a meeting with the manufacturer's representative of the ports. The manufacturer's representative said that you should avoid touching or feeling the port. The section of the port that faces outward has a membrane. If you push the membrane, it will push the heparin out the end and when the membrane reflexes back to it's original shape it will draw blood into the tip of the catheter. The blood will coagulate and plug up the end of the catheter.

Skilled nurses can clean out the port but it takes a while to do and do you really want to have a chemo infusion last any longer than it needs to?

Good Luck Maria

Lee

Yup. Had same thing, but like others it does go away and eventually, you forget it's there other than the convenience when getting your meds.

All the Best to You
Ginagce

Mine worked fine, but it hurt from the moment they put it in, it ached constantly. I had it taken out the day after my last herceptin treatment. It continued to ache. I then had the scar site revised by a plastic surgeon (because the layers of tissue under the skin weren't put back together properly and it looked like a big dent) and it feels a lot better, not sure why that made a difference.

[tricia keegan]

Mine hurt for about ten days after I had it put it, the discomfort mostly went away except for the odd sharp twinge. I had it removed two years ago and still get a sharp twinge now and then from the scar!
I was glad to have it though and am sure your's will settle down too,just give it a little time.

[DanaRT]

It'll get better. There are days I forget I have a port and then I move just right and can feel it. I have a love/hate relationship with my port. Mostly I love it because it makes treatments so much easier. It bothers me at times when I lay on my left side--"port side"--ha!

Dana